HUAIRASINCHI
Huairasinchi Returns To Ecuador
Rob Howard / 25.04.2017
Huairasinchi starts shortly, the second race in the AR World Series this year, and a welcome return to a former World Championship venue in Ecuador. (Last year it was held in Colombia and will alternate between countries going forward.)
Teams will once again gather in the high altitude capital of Quito (staying at the magnificently named ‘Hump Day Hostel’), and those who are not acclimatised to altitude will hopefully get there a few days early to adjust.
Altitude adaption will play its part in the race outcome for sure, with a minimum altitude of 2019m and a max of 3997m it is going to be breathtaking course. Apart from the paddling, all of the stages have a high point of well over 3000m and the altitude gain across the whole course is in excess of 12,000m – it’s going to be tough!
The race is once again sponsored by Ecuadorian telecoms company Movistar and has the same organising team behind it from Proyecto Aventura, who have been running the race since 2003, exploring the amazing scenery in Ecuador, from the Andes to the Amazon.
The elite ARWS race has an entry of 23 teams, 9 are from outside Ecuador, and 3 of those are Colombian. Of the home nation teams the Movistar Ecuador team will expect to be the favourites, and they have pulled in Nick Gracie from the Godzone Adventure team to join them. He seems to go to every South American race on the ARWS calendar! Another veteran racer in S. America is Urtzi Iglesias of Columbia Vidaraid, who is joining up with Argentine team ‘San Juan Aventura 1’ for this race.
There are two U.S. teams, including Yogaslackers who are once again led by Jason Magness, back after more than a year out from the sport. The other visiting teams are from France and the U.K.
The race starts on Saturday 29th and you can read more about it at https://www.proyectoaventura.com/site/6/section/203/home
Sadly, we don’t have a reporter at this one, but we will bring you what news we can and provide Facebook commentary and insight as always for you to follow along.
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